Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Monday said Bangladesh must strengthen its parliamentary democracy to truly honour the sacrifices of those martyred in the July Mass Uprising, stressing that the elected national parliament should remain the country's principal forum for political activity and policymaking.
Speaking at a discussion marking the July Mass Uprising Day at the National Press Club in Dhaka, the minister said all political disputes should be resolved through constitutional and democratic processes rather than outside parliament.
The programme was organised by the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).
Swapon said it was both painful and a matter of national self-reflection that, more than five decades after achieving independence through the Liberation War, people once again had to sacrifice their lives to secure democracy and voting rights.
He said the public mandate delivered through the July Mass Uprising could only be fulfilled by making parliamentary democracy more effective and robust.
"The true value of the democracy achieved through so much bloodshed and sacrifice will be realised only when the National Parliament is established as the country's highest democratic platform for political debate, dialogue and decision-making," he said, adding that a civilised political culture is rooted in parliament-centric politics.
The minister said remembering the martyrs should not be limited to ceremonies or emotions, but should be reflected in efforts to strengthen democratic institutions. He called for keeping political disagreements within democratic norms and enriching the political process through greater public participation.
The minister said the Language Movement, the Liberation War and the July Mass Uprising represent a continuous struggle for democracy, and that the sacrifices made in each movement form part of the same historical legacy.
"The only way to repay the debt owed to those martyrs is to establish an effective parliament, an independent and dignified judiciary, good governance and a strong constitutional democracy," he said.
Swapon said these goals could not be achieved by any single political party alone and urged all democratic forces to work together. He emphasised that national unity, mutual cooperation and democratic tolerance are essential to fulfilling the aspirations of the July martyrs.
Referring to social media, the minister said it has become an important platform for political expression but warned that intolerance, misinformation and a culture of instability on such platforms could undermine democracy. He urged to uphold decency, reason and democratic values in expressing differing opinions.
The minister also said the government remains committed to implementing every pledge of the July Charter through the country's elected parliament.
